Ok kids. The writing will probably get a little sketchy, some of you will have feels about my blah-ness, and feedback (as long as it's constructive) is welcome as always. I'm kind of struggling with linking it all together, so be patient, it's a WIP and I'm doing my best. I'm a little outta practice, but I'll upload as quick as I can. Thanks for the love, Review Review Review! Xx
Jack watched her desk the first day, and the next, wondering where she was. He knew she didn't have any investigations going; that was expecting a little much from the office. He went over, cleared away the two cold cups of tea he'd left her, tried to tidy something he'd nudged. "You know she'll have your balls, you keep snooping around there Jack." Sousa's shuffle on the floor would have given him away even if Jack hadn't recognized the voice, and he rolled his eyes, "Shut up Sousa. You know where she is?" "Out sick is the official word." Daniel eyed him, "Don't you go saying it's women's problems or anything that's going to give these guys ammunition. She's out sick and that's all any of 'em need to know." "It's not…." Jack grimaced at the thought of that stuff, "….that anyway. She's got a cold." Daniel raised an eyebrow, clearly pissed, "If you know what's wrong with her, why the hell did you ask me? You can be a real jerk Jack."
As Jack watched Sousa shuffle away, he sighed. If he ever got the balls to ask Peggy for a drink that didn't involve the team, he might also ask her how to make Sousa like him.
That night, he drove around the block she lived on five times, before he saw the butler step out into the street and flag him down, "Good evening Agent Thompson. Shall I tell Miss Carter she has a visitor?" Jack sighed, nodding as he put the brake on, and opened his door. Reaching across to the passenger seat, Jack collected his things and slipped into the dark evening.
"Miss Carter? You have a guest. Where would you like to receive him?" "Oh goodness Jarvis, it's just Howard. Wherever he bloody well likes." Her voice rang through from somewhere down the hallway, followed by a sneeze and a sniffle, "If I didn't fear for my reputation, I'd tell the bugger I wasn't getting out of bed for him." Jarvis looked from Thompson to down the hall and back again, smiling awkwardly as he responded, "Yes, well, if it were Mr Stark, I would relay your sentiments and probably back them with my own. However….your gentleman caller is not he." Before Jarvis could finish his sentence, Peggy had arrived in the hallway, wearing her dressing gown and looking incredibly pale. She stopped dead when she saw him, "Goodness! Jarvis, hasn't Mr Stark taught you how to receive a guest?" She frowned at him, and continued, "A lady can't just come to the door like this." She looked at Jack, "You'll forgive me. I wasn't given fair warning."
She looked uncomfortable, and, Jack thought, a little flustered. He wished he'd called first, at the very least. He shouldn't have come, he felt like a fool. "I…uh…..couldn't have you dying Marge, the boys think Sousa's coffee stinks." He handed her the flowers, but Jarvis took them from him, "I'll put these in some water. Perhaps, Miss Carter, you and your visitor would like to take tea in the living room." "Coffee." Jarvis stopped, looking back at Peggy, "What?" "Agent Thompson prefers Coffee. Thankyou."
As she indicated to Jack to take a seat on the chesterfield sofa, she pulled her dressing gown a little closer around her chest, "I suppose there's nothing to be done for it now Agent Thompson, but for future visits, a warning call would be appreciated." He missed what she said next, because his mind was just torn between the soft swell of her chest beneath the flimsy silk of her robe, and her words 'for future visits'. He blinked and realized she was talking, "Jack? Jack….are you quite alright? I asked if you'd like something to eat? Jarvis is making dinner….you're welcome to stay." "I….." Jack hesitated, and Peggy smiled, a genuine, soft smile that was tired at the edges, "Oh, do stay Jack. It's been so dull being home, and I'll even promise not to tell anyone you stayed."
Jack looked confused, "Why would you need to? I don't get you sometimes Carter." He watched her as she settled herself into the easy chair opposite, "There's nothing to get Jack. Unlike most of you at the office, what you see and hear is exactly what you get with me. I find honesty is always the best policy, even if nobody can be bothered listening." Jack sought to change the subject, "Nice digs." "Yes, Howard did owe me quite a few favors, so it was kind of him to offer. Angie thinks we've won the lottery of course. I pity the man she ends up with, she's developing a taste for the finer things that I'm afraid may never leave her." Jarvis interrupted then, "Coffee as ordered. Will your guest be staying for dinner?" Peggy watched Jack, giving him the opportunity to back out, but he nodded, "That…uh…that'd be great, thanks." He took the mug of coffee from Jarvis, and watched the strange ritual being performed whereby Peggy put her milk in before the teabag. He had to remember that, or at least ask her if it made any difference. He'd snuck a taste of her tea the last time he'd gotten her a cup, and he didn't think he'd ever stomach it.
Jack was surprised that she followed him to the door when he left that night, she was visibly tired, her eyes had lost their sparkle and her sniffling had become more obvious. "Jack…thankyou. The flowers were lovely….I'm sorry if I seemed a bit short earlier." "Nah, Peg….you're sick. It's okay." She was leaning up against the doorframe, biting that lower lip that begged for him to do the same. She smiled softly, and he took a breath, it was now or never. Leaning in, his eyes caught hers, but he was already committed. He put one hand on her waist, pulling her to him as he planted a soft kiss on her mouth. She didn't resist, in fact, she placed her own hands on his chest, her eyes closed. Just as his other hand came to rest on her shoulder, she pulled back, and Jack mistook it for offense until she sneezed. She flushed red, "Gracious…I'm terribly sorry Jack." She stepped back, smiling cautiously as she began to shut the heavy front door, "Goodnight."
Jack was walking on air as he reached his car, not even caring that he'd stepped in a puddle and his shoes were soaked. He'd just kissed Margaret Carter….and he wanted to do it again.